LANCASTER – The Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) was awarded more than $700,000 from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Vehicle program.
The program provides funding to transit agencies for the purchase or lease of zero or low-emission transit buses
as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities.
“We are grateful to receive the support and I am confident that they have chosen wisely—funding will be put to the best possible use in expanding the electrification of our fleet”, stated AVTA Board Chairman Marvin Crist.
AVTA’s award of $705,347 will be used for the purchase of one 40-foot battery electric bus. Funding is expected to be released by the end of the year.
This comes in addition to the grant funding utilized to launch the agency’s Electric Bus Conversion project, made
possible by Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Michael Antonovich.
“This grant will keep us moving in the right direction—reducing costs while eliminating pollution. We will continue to seek and take advantage of any funding opportunities as we move closer to meeting our goal,”stated AVTA CEO Len Engel.
AVTA is one of 51 recipients in 39 states to receive grant funding from FTA for low or no emission vehicles. Projects were evaluated on their ability to demonstrate strong value to American communities.
Eligible projects included those that replace, rehabilitate, lease, and purchase buses and related equipment, as well as projects to purchase, rehabilitate, construct or lease bus-related facilities, such as buildings for bus storage and
maintenance. AVTA’s application for funding was accompanied by a letter of support from U.S. Congressman and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, endorsing AVTA’s ability to further energy efficient community transit in the Antelope Valley.
“Reducing pollution and cleaning up the air we breathe in the Antelope Valley is an important priority. With this grant announcement, in conjunction with the expansion of the BYD facility, AVTA will be able to place an innovative no-emission electric bus into service,” stated Congressman McCarthy. “I applaud Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and the Federal Transit Administration on this grant award, which will help further these efforts and help the Antelope Valley remain an innovation leader in the 21st Century.”
AVTA provides local, commuter and dial-a-ride service to residents in the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale, as well as the unincorporated portions of northern Los Angeles County.
[Information via news release from The Antelope Valley Transit Authority.]
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Ralph Cramden says
Great. More busses that lose their charge and have to be towed back for recharging. Loved seeing the photos of the busses in tow on Facebook!
What a waste of tax payer dollars.
Tim Scott says
On Facebook? There’s a reliable news source. Did the…ahhhhhhh…journalist…source the report that the bus being towed had “lost it’s charge”?
I assume this pillar of news reporting also provided some background comparisons. You know, statistical data showing how electric buses compare to older diesel buses in terms of their reliability. I shouldn’t even ask, since we know that ANYONE posting on FACEBOOK is SURE to meet basic standards of journalism, right?
One shot, straight to the moon. Thanks for your comment.
Ralph Cramden says
No reports of statistical data. Just photos and eye witness accounts of the electric busses being towed. Could be just bad luck. Still, it is funny to see a diesel truck towing an electric bus that costs so much.
Alexis says
You don’t need statistical data, Ralph. No one that posts on here follows up with statistical data. Thank you for your sense of humor.
In Depends says
LOL, “straight to the moon”. How do you remember that? Reruns?
Tim Scott says
Yeah. I have studied the classics in depth.
Ron says
I would be interested in seeing a comparison of hybrid, natural gas, and electric buses. Comparisons of costs to produce, carbon footprint to produce, lifespan, overall carbon footprint, and cost and impact of waste disposal.
Michael Rives says
I hope the powers to be retain some Diesel powered buses and not go all electric. If the electric power is down in an earthquake, we have no buses to transport victims.
William says
That is wise thinking, Michael Rives, but wise thinking is not something we see a lot of from Rex, Marv, and how Palmdale Puppets Hoffbauer and Bishop. BYD donates a lot of campaign ca$h and as you know money talks.
Question Lancaster Authority says
How much money did BYD give to Parris, Crist, Hofbauer, and Bishop?